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Emily Hung

A top US health expert has thrown his weight behind the approach taken by Hong Kong authorities to adopt the American model in developing a third medical school, citing successful examples in Singapore.
Professor Victor Dzau, president of the US National Academy of Medicine, shared his views on Wednesday before the Chinese University of Hong Kong conferred on him an honorary doctorate of science.
Dzau played an instrumental role in the establishment of Duke-NUS medical school in Singapore in 2005, which adopted the American model admitting degree holders keen on pursuing a career in research.
“When you decide to become a doctor at age 17, you’re very young, and then suddenly your only life is seven years of studying medicine,” he said.
“But this [US] model allows you to study humanities, social science, literature, biology … so you have a very different, and much broader background.”
The joint-degree model would also offer some flexibility, allowing students to receive training and be licensed in both countries, he noted.
He added that the US model tended to be more research intensive which could help nurture more physician-scientists and ultimately benefit patients at a greater depth. Students of the Duke-NUS degree all had to spend one year on research.
Dzau acknowledged it could be challenging for doctors to handle both research and clinical work in an overstretched healthcare system, and “[Hong Kong] will have to decide which is going to be more important.”

Another challenge, he said, would be finding the right finance model for the school, noting that government, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists were engaged in Singapore models.
For example, some companies were founded based on the research, which would not only benefit the school but also the economy, he said.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Polytechnic University and Baptist University all indicated interest in operating the third medical school.
The Post earlier learned that HKUST was discussing with Imperial College London to establish the school. The British university also jointly operates a medical programme with the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau, who met Dzau on Tuesday to learn about his experience in running a medical school, earlier said the government hoped the institution could avoid unhealthy competition and complement the existing two.
Born in Shanghai and growing up in Hong Kong, Dzau witnessed poverty in childhood and was determined to help tackle health inequities experienced by underprivileged communities.
He went on to study medicine overseas and became one of the world’s pre-eminent scientist-clinicians in cardiovascular diseases.
A global leader in public health, the 77-year-old served on multiple health advisory panels worldwide and currently co-chairs the science and technology expert group of the international pandemic preparedness secretariat.
Dzau highlighted that escalating US-China tension had created a challenging environment for Chinese researchers in the United States.
He noted many cases of Chinese scientists being investigated by US agencies in recent years were “somewhat exaggerated”. Many of these scientists lost funding and left the country.
He said science diplomacy and international collaboration were important to help overcome the political challenges.
“It’s very difficult now in the United States. There is both competition and a mistrust issue,” he said.
“But I think it’s less, much less so for Hong Kong because people see Hong Kong as a special region.”
He looked forward to more international collaboration with Hong Kong universities in the future.


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Education in Hong Kong

Professor Victor Dzau, president of the US National Academy of Medicine, has been conferred an honorary doctorate of science by the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Photo: Jelly Tse

The Chinese University of Hong Kong campus in Sha Tin. Photo: Jonathan Wong

HKUST reveals group of top experts to bolster plan for Hong Kong’s third medical school

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Clearwater Bay. Photo: Winson Wong

Dr Edward Leong in 2018. He has previously served as a lawmaker representing the medical sector and chairman of the Hospital Authority. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Dr Roger Kornberg, a Stanford University professor who won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2006, is among the advisory group members. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong’s third medical school could adopt US-style curriculum to broaden recruitment

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Clear Water Bay. Photo: Photo: May Tse

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau says new medical school would need to admit at least 50 students a year to be cost-effective. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong’s third medical school must avoid unhealthy competition: health minister

Hong Kong currently has two medical schools, one at the University of Hong Kong and the other at Chinese University. Photo: Shutterstock

Secretary for Education Christine Choi is a co-chair of the group that will select the operator of a new medical school. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Education

Professor Victor Dzau cites successful examples in Singapore, such as the Duke-NUS medical school which he helped establish


Professor Victor Dzau cites successful examples in Singapore, such as the Duke-NUS medical school which he helped establish.
